The seven deadly sins

A list of deadly sins was first catalogued in St. John Cassian (360-345 AD). The list was later refined and reduced to seven by Pope St. Gregory the Great ( 540-604 AD). These so-called sins are really underlying attitudes which cause individuals, and sometimes entire societies, to fall short of perfection.

Since none of us are sin-free, it is worthwhile to consider which of these attitudes we, as individuals or as a society, are harbouring. With focused and concerted effort these attitudes can be replaced over time. This can be done by actively practising the opposing virtue.

Here are a list of sins or attitudes which we need to overcome, both as individuals and as a society, and the opposing virtues which can replace these shortcomings.

PRIDE. This is the most serious of the seven. It is also known as hubris or vanity. It is having excessive belief in one's own worth or ability and refusing to recognize the presence or the grace of almighty God. It was the sin of our first parents, and it led to the downfall of Lucifer. The opposing virtue to pride is humility.

Modern examples of pride are evident in self-assured politicians, movie stars, and strong nations who attempt to force their way of life and ideals on weaker societies.

ENVY. This is the insatiable desire for something someone else has, which a person perceives himself to be lacking. It does not refer to material goods but has a more general quality as when someone envies the talent, attractiveness, ability, skill, or status of another. It extends as far as wishing evil upon the other who has the desired quality. The opposing virtue is kindness.

Today we encounter envy in those who sacrifice friends and family life in order to climb the corporate ladder, or in the obsession to "keep up with the Joneses" at all costs.

GLUTTONY. It is overindulgence or over-consumption of anything to the point of waste. It usually refers to food, or drink especially alcoholic beverages. It manifests itself in hoarding provisions and refusing to share what we have with others. The opposing virtue is temperance.

Gluttony is evident in our world today in the epidemic of obesity, alcoholism, smoking and drug addition.

LUST. Lust is the inordinate thoughts and desires for pleasures of the body. They can lead to sexual addiction, fornication, adultery, rape, incest and other sexual perversions. The opposing virtue is chastity.

Lust in society today is evident in the abundance of pornography, traffic on Internet pornographic sites, sexually explicit material in movies and on TV and in the tendency for short-term relationships instead of a permanent commitment in marriage.

ANGER. This sin is also known as wrath or fury. It occurs when an individual spurns love and instead entertains inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred. It leads to acts of murder, assault, and revenge. Suicide is the ultimate act of anger directly inwardly, a final rejection of God's gifts. The opposing virtue is patience.

Anger in today's world is evident in wars, gang feuds, road rage, race riots, and in the many incidences of violence in contemporary society.

GREED. This is the desire for material wealth and gain and ignoring the spiritual realm. It is also known as avarice or covetousness. It is practised as betrayal or treason for money, bribery, hoarding material objects, theft, or miserliness. The opposing virtue is charity.

Greed is obvious today in the crimes for gain which fill the pages of our newspapers, smuggling, income tax evasion, the proliferation of lotteries and casinos and gouging practices by dishonest politicians, lawyers, unions and governments.

SLOTH. This is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work. It is a sin of laziness or indifference, a failure to utilize one's gifts and talents. It can be characterized as an unwillingness to act or care in situations where action and caring are clearly indicated, such as helping someone in distress, caring for aged parents, or attending church on the Sabbath. The opposing virtue is zeal or diligence.

Today, students who fail to study diligently, healthy workers who call in sick, those who find excuses to avoid volunteering for worthwhile causes may all be guilty of sloth.

Over the centuries, human nature hasn't changed much. The weaknesses against which the early Christians struggled are still much in evidence today. How can they be overcome?

They can be conquered today as they always have been, by conscious practice of the opposing virtues. Being human, we'll never attain perfection in this life, but we should continue to make a vigorous effort to improve as long as our sojourn on earth lasts